Free inside knob lock set

ABSTRACT

Locking mechanism including a cam-actuated locking plate shiftable between engaging and nonengaging locking positions to lock an outside knob while the inside knob remains free to open the latching mechanism. When in its unlocked position, the plate is rotatable with the outside knob so that the door latch may be operated in a conventional manner. When shifted to its locked position, the plate fixed to the knob is moved by a cam mechanism into an engaging position with supporting structure such that the knob cannot be turned. The inside knob, however, remains free and operates the conventional latching mechanism without regard to the position of the locking plate.

United States Patent 11 1 Babb, Jr. et al.

1111 3,800,573 Apr.2, 1974 1 1 FREE INSIDE KNOB LOCK SET [75] Inventors:John H. Babb, Jr.; Orville C.

Maurits, both of Grand Rapids, Mich.

[731 Assignee: 'Kysor Industrial Corporation,

Cadillac, Mich.

221 Filed: May 11, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 252,446

[52] US. Cl. 70/217, 292/359 [51] Int. Cl E05b 13/08, EOSb 13/10 [58]Field of Search 292/l69.14, 169.17, 359;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,482,926 9/1949 Milligan70/217 2,634,598 4/1953. Kaiser 70/216 X 3,079,189 2/1963 Russell et al292/359 2,640,345 6/1953 Wardwell 70/146 Primary Examiner-Joseph l-I.McGlynn Assistant Examiner-Richard P. Tremblay Attorney, Agent, orFirmPrice, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper [5 7 ABSTRACT Locking mechanismincluding a cam actuated locking plate shiftable between engaging andnonen gaging locking positions to lock an outside knob while the insideknob remains free to open the latching mechanism. When in its unlockedposition, the plate is rotatable with the outside knob so that the doorlatch may be operated in a conventional manner. When shifted to itslocked position, the plate fixed to the knob is moved by a cam mechanisminto an engaging position -with supporting structure such that the knobcannot be turned. The inside knob, however, remains free and operatesthe conventional latching mechanism without regard to the position ofthe locking plate.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures releasing thelock.

FREE INSIDE KNOB LOCK SET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to a free inside knob lock set which may be locked and unlockedthrough an actuator on the inside knob and unlocked by a key positionedon the outside knob. When locked, the outer knob remains fixed suchthat-the latching mechanism cannot be operated. The inside knob,however, is free to turn and to operate the latching mechanism withoutIn the known prior artconstructions, locking of the lock'set from theinside requires that the lock be released before the door'can' beopened. In some constructions, the lock is automatically released as theinside knob is turned while in other constructions, the;

lock must be manually released. In either event, when thedoor is againclosed, the lock must be reset in order to prevent operation of theoutside knob. In many applications, it is desirable to provide a doorwhich re- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes theinherent disadvantages of theprior'art as outlined above in itsprovision of a lock set which is shiftable between locked and unlockedpositions by means of a cam operated by a latch actuator and which whenlocked may be released by a key from the outside or by a latch actuatorfrom the inside. When locked, the inside knob remains free to open thedoor without destroying the locking function while the outsideknobremains in a locked position and canonly be operated from the outside bya key. In the unlocked position, both theinside andoutside knobs arefree to turn and operate the latching mechanism. The locking mechanismincludes a camoperated locking plate shiftably mounted to unexposedstructures on the outside knob and shiftable between locking andnonlocking positions with respect to supporting structures for the lock.When unlocked, the locking plate is rotatable with the outside knob.When in a locked position, the locking plate engages the supportingstructure and the outside knob such that it is not free to rotate. Theinner knob is free to rotate in either the locked or unlocked positionto operate the latching mechanism within a door panel.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea lock set for a door panel having means therein providing -a freeinside knob while the outside knob is locked.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lock setwherein a door may be operated from the inside without disruption of thelocking function so that the door will remain locked from the outside.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified free insideknob lock set. The lock set has a unique locking plate arrangement. Thelocking plate is specially axially shiftable under the influence of acooperative camming device. The camming device is selectively operablefrom the exterior with a key and selectively operable from the interiorwith a twist lock actuator in the knob. The locking plate can be soshifted axially by simple rotation of the interior twist lockactuav torwithout requiring axial movement of this actuator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a free inside knob lockset which can be readily mounted to different thickness doors, e.g.,over the common range of 1-5/16 inch to 1-13/16 inch thickness withoutcomplex tie bolts and the like or careful adjustment as with presentcomplex devices.

These and other important aspects, objects and advantages of thisinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a studyof this disclosure,

the drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which: F IG. 1 isan'elevational view partially in cross section, illustrating the lockingmechanism and supporting assembly in the unlocked position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the inside end of the lockingmechanism illustrating the assembly in unlocked condition; 1

FIG. 4 is a view similarto FIG. 3 partially in cross section,illustrating thelocking mechanism in a locked condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cam mechanism andlocking plate taken along the plane DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1and 2, the outer knob support structure includes a plate 10 which isnormally fixed about an opening in a door panel and is held in positionby engagement of screws 12 with internally threaded stud members 14permanently affixed to the plate. The outer knob 16 includes an axiallyextending central tubular member 18 which is rotatably mounted in thefixed plate 10. The tubular member 18 is maintained in fixed axialrelationship with plate 10 by the combined action of a bias springretainer assembly20. The retainer assembly includes a first washer 22having slots therein engageable with a pair of projections 24 extendingfrom the outer extremity of the tubular member 18. The bias springretainer assembly 20 also includes an outer washer 26 having a pair ofinwardly turned arms 28 abutting the washer 22 but holding portions ofit slightly spaced therefrom to form a housing 20 in which a torsionbias spring 30 is positioned. Bias spring 30 includes a pair ofoutwardly directed ends or arms 31 abutting the oppositely positionedstud members 14. Thus, the spring operates on tubular member 18 toreturn member 18 and knob 16 to a normal position when it is rotated ineither direction and released. The bias spring return housing is fixedto the tubular portion by a snap ring 32 extending into slots providedon projection 24. When knob 16 is rotated either clockwise orcounterclockwise from the normal position, one of the arms 31 of springacts on studs 14 to return the knob to its central normal position.

Covering members on rose plates and 41 are positioned over mountingplates 10 and 38 respectively. Rose plate 40 is preferably staked inplace on the outside mounting plate 10 so that it cannot be removed tothereby prevent tampering with the lock mechanism. Rose plate 41 issnapped into position on mounting plate 38 after the assembly is mountedto the door panel and prior toinstallation of inner knob 34.

The inner knob tubular member 36 includes a pair of axially extendingarms 42 extending through a pair of washers 44 and 45 positioned on eachside of plate 38 for rotation in plate 38. A locking ring 33 similar tolocking ring 32 previously described in connection with FIG. 2 is usedto hold the assembly together by locking engagement with slots in theextending arms 42. The inner knob 34, tubular member 36, and washers 44and 45 are fixed and rotate together. Washer 45 has a cen tral openingtherein through which a square tubular operating shaft or spindle 46 ispassed such that rotation of the inner knob causes a correspondingrotation of operating shaft or spindle 46.

The spindle 46 is freely mounted for rotation about a latch actuatorshaft or locking bar 48. As will be more fully described hereinafter,locking bar 48 extends substantially the entire length of the housingand through the hollow center of the spindle 46. A cam actuator 50 isfixed at one end of locking bar 48 within tubular member 18 and withinouter knob 16. The opposite end of locking bar 48 is slidably receivedin a lock knob 52 which is rotatably mounted'in tubular housing 36within inner knob 34 and extends from the outer face thereof.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 3 and 5, a locking plate 54 having acam-engaging mechanism, i.e., cam follower 56 fixed thereon is slidablymounted and resiliently fixed with respect to the end of the spindle 46.A locking ring positioned in a recess formed in the outer surface ofspindle 46 holds one end of a torsional bias spring 58 while itsopposite end abuts the central portion 49 (FIG. 6) of locking plate 54.The locking ring 60 also abuts a washer 63 positioned about the tubularmember 18 and prevents removal of the spindle from the assembly. A camactuator 50 fixed at the end oflocking bar 48 is mounted for axialmovement on the end of locking bar 48. This cam actuator 50 is biasedinto engagement with cam mechanism 56 by means of a cam bias spring 61(FIG. 5). Bias spring 61 is positioned in a recess formed in the innerdiameter of cam 50 and abuts an inner wall 67 formed in its centralportion. The opposite end of spring 61 is held in position by a pair ofradially outwardly directed extensions 62 formed by a notch near the end76 of locking bar 48.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, excessive rotational movement oflocking bar 48 with respect to spindle 46 is prevented by the abutmentof an outwardly extending tab 64 against a notch or step 65 provided atthe end of the spindle 46 opposite from the locking plate 54. The lockknob 52 has an axially extending slot 66 formed therein to receive andembrace locking bar 48. The end of bar 48 is slidably received inelongated opening 66, and spindle 46 is slidably engaged by thepreviously mentioned washer 45, such that the assembly may be readilymounted in door panels of varying thicknesses without any adjustments orcomplexities. The lock knob 52 further includes an annular depression 68formed in its outer diameter for abutment with a tab 70 (FIG. 1) formedin inner knob tubular member 36 to prevent its outward movement. Thelock knob includes 'an outer decorative casing or cover 53 formed ofmetal and fixed in place by tabs 71 folded over in the depression 68.

A key-operated tumbler lock 72 (FIG. 1) is positioned within outer knob16 in a conventional manner and is adapted, in response to the insertionand turning ofa key 74, to engage an outermost end 76 of the actuatorbar 48 to shift the locking plate 54 as will be more fully describedhereinafter.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the locking plate 54 isgenerally disc-shaped, having a recessed central surface area 78tapering upwardly to form an outer circular peripheral flange 80. A pairof arcuateshaped slots 82 in the central portion define a spindleengaging portion 49 including a square-shaped opening 79 therein throughwhich spindle 46 projects. The central portion 49 is connected torecessed surface 78 of the locking plate by opposed webs or spokes 81. Apair of locking tabs 84 are formed in the radial flange 80 and extendoutwardly with respect to recessed portion 78. The tabs 84 are arrangedfor engagement in a pair of corresponding recesses or slots 86 in thesurface of mounting plate 10 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) when in a lockedposition.

The cam follower 56 maybe formed of Nylon or the like and is fixed tocentral portion 49 of the locking plate 54 and extends axially intotubular member 18 fixed in the outer knob. Axially extending slots onthe tubular member slidably receive the web or spokes 81 so that thelocking plate may slide axiaily of tubular member 18 but is in rotatableengagement therewith.

The cam 50 and cam follower 56 illustrated in plan view in FIGS. 7 and 8include a pair of interengageable cam faces 88 and 90 (see also FIG. 4)having axially and circumferentially extending, cooperative, slopedfaces arranged such that rotation of one with respect to the othercauses axial movement between the cam and cam follower to move them awayfrom each other with rotation in one direction, and toward each otherwith rotation in the other direction. Adjacent each of thesecooperative, sloped faces are flat abutment faces normal to the axis ofthe mechanism so that, after these cam elements are shifted apart themaximum amount, these flat faces come into abutment and are retainedthereby by the now compressed spring 58. In other words, the cammingshaft device is fully axially extended when the locking plate is engagedand fully axially contracted when the locking plate is disengaged. Thesquare spindle 46 includes a portion of reduced diameter 92 (FIG. 5)into which locking plate 54 is biased when moved into a lockingposition.

' OPERATION through washer 45 which engages both the tubular member 36and the spindle. The outer knob '16 is also operably connected tospindle 46 because of its engagement through locking plate 54. Aspreviously described, central portion 49 of locking plate 54 has asquare opening 79 in the central portion thereof (FIGS. 6 and 7) whichengages the square surface of spindle 46. The outer knob is alsooperatively connected to locking plate 54 through tubular portion 18where the sides of the slots 85 engage webs 81 formed on locking plate54. Consequently, rotation of either the inner knob or the outer knobcauses a corresponding rotation of the other through spindle 46.

To shift'the assembly into a locked position as illustrated in FIG. 4,locking knob 52 is simply rotated 90. This in turn causes acorresponding rotation of locking bar 48 and cam 50 fixed at theopposite end of locking bar 48. As cam 50 rotates, cam surfaces 88 and90 move out of engagement with each other, causing them to spreadaxially apart with respect to each other to thereby move locking plate54 axially along spindle 46 until axially extending tabs 84 engagecorresponding slots 86 provided in fixed mounting plate 10. The spindle46 does not, however, move axially with respect to locking bar 48because the locking ring 60 abuts washer 63 (FIG. 3). When the latch isshifted into the .position shown in FIG. 4, square opening 79 providedin the central portion of locking plate 54 has been moved into thereduced diameter portion 92 (FIG. 5) of spindle 46 such that the spindleis free to rotate with the inner knob about locking bar 48 and inopening 79. The outer knob 16, because of its engagement with lockingplate 54 through spokes 81 with tubular member 18 is solidly fixed bythe engagement of tabs 84 with slots 86 in mounting plate 10. The innerknob is thus free to rotate for operation of the latch mechanism whilethe outer knob is fixed and not able to operate the mechanism.

To unlock the assembly, all that is required is to rotate the lockingbar 48 back to its original position to allow the cam surfaces toaxially move together into their original engaging position therebyshortening the overall axial length of the camming device. Rotation ofthe shaft may be simply accomplished by turning locking button 52 at theinner knob or by rotation of the appropriate key 74, causing lock 72 toengage and turn end 76 of locking bar 48. In either case, lock plate 54is allowed to move axially outwardly with respect to plate as cam faces88 and 90 return to their original engaging position. As the lockingplate moves outwardly, square portions of spindle 46 engage the coop--erative square opening 79 in the lock plate. In this position, rotationof either of the knobs will again cause rotation of the other and acorresponding rotation of spindle 46.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art that knob will not release thelocking condition at the outside knob, so that the assembly will remainlocked with respect to the outside knob. The lockingfunction isreleased, however, by simply turning the locking knob or through the useofa key-operated lock from the outside knob.The unique cam-operatedlocking plate structure described herein is extremely efficient in itsoperation, temper-proof, and contains a minimum number-of relativelysimple operating components. The assembly, therefore, isrelativelysimple as compared to the prior art devices resulting in lowermanufacturing costs with corresponding savings to the consumer andmaximum adaptability to different width doors.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be recognized to those skilled in the artthat otherembodiments and modifications'of the invention incorporating-theteachings hereof may be readily made in light of this disclosure. Allmodifications employing the principles of this invention are thereforeconsidered as included in the appended claims unless these claims bytheir language expressly state otherwise.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a lock set having an inner knob; an outer knob; supporting meansfor said knobs positionable on opposite sides of a door panel; and alatch actuator extending between said knobs, said actuator beingoperatively fixed to said inner knob for rotation therewith; theimprovement comprising:

engaging means operatively associated with said outer knob and saidlatch actuator, said engaging means shiftable to effect engagement anddisengagementof said outer knob with said actuator; said engaging meansincluding a plate member mounted for sliding movement axially withrespect to said outer knob and said actuator, said plate member fixedfor rotation with said outer knob;

biasing means normally biasing said plate into engaging position withsaid actuator;

shifting means operable on said plate member to effect disengagement ofsaid plate member with said actuator; and

locking means cooperable with said engaging means,

said locking means being shiftable and when shifted, being engageablewith said supporting means to fix said outer knob with respect theretowhile simultaneously effecting disengagement of said outer knob withsaid latch actuator whereby said outer knob remains fixed with respectto said support means while said inner knob remains free to rotate withsaid latch actuator.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including means forshifting said engaging means, said shifting means including a cam; meansfor rotating said cam; and'a cam follower on said engaging meansengageable with said cam, rotation of said cam shifting said engagingmeans to effect engagement and disengagement of said outer knob withsaid actuator.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said outer knob includesa tubular housing rotatably mounted on said support means; said cam andcam follower are positioned in said tubular housing, and said platemeans is slidably mounted on said housing.

4. Locking mechanism for a lock set including an inner knob, an outerknob, a latch actuator spindle supported between said knobs, saidspindle being operatively connected to said inner knob for rotationtherewith, and supporting means adapted for placement on opposing sidesof a door panel adjacent said inner and said outer knobs for rotatablysupporting same, the improvement comprising:

shiftable connecting means for effecting engagement and disengagement ofsaid outer knob with said spindle;

cooperable locking means on said supporting means and said connectingmeans, said locking means including a pair of axially directed armmembers on said connecting means, said supporting means including a pairof slots therein to receive said arm members to effect lockingengagement therebetween when said connecting means is shifted to efmeanssupporting said connecting means for axial movement with respect to saidouter knob and said spindle;

means for axially shifting said connecting means between engaging andnonengaging positions, said shifting means including a cam on saidconnecting means and a cam follower; and

a locking bar connected to said cam and extending through said innerknob, rotation of said locking bar causing axial movement of saidconnecting means to thereby shift said locking means between saidpositions.

5. The lockset as defined in claim 4 and further including stop means onsaid locking bar and stop abutment means on said spindle whereby toprevent excessive rotation of said locking bar when shifting saidlocking means between said positions.

1. In a lock set having an inner knob; an outer knob; supporting meansfor said knobs positionable on opposite sides of a door panel; and alatch actuator extending between said knobs, said actuator beingoperatively fixed to said inner knob for rotation therewith; theimprovement comprising: engaging means operatively associated with saidouter knob and said latch actuator, said engaging meAns shiftable toeffect engagement and disengagement of said outer knob with saidactuator; said engaging means including a plate member mounted forsliding movement axially with respect to said outer knob and saidactuator, said plate member fixed for rotation with said outer knob;biasing means normally biasing said plate into engaging position withsaid actuator; shifting means operable on said plate member to effectdisengagement of said plate member with said actuator; and locking meanscooperable with said engaging means, said locking means being shiftableand when shifted, being engageable with said supporting means to fixsaid outer knob with respect thereto while simultaneously effectingdisengagement of said outer knob with said latch actuator whereby saidouter knob remains fixed with respect to said support means while saidinner knob remains free to rotate with said latch actuator.
 2. Theapparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including means for shiftingsaid engaging means, said shifting means including a cam; means forrotating said cam; and a cam follower on said engaging means engageablewith said cam, rotation of said cam shifting said engaging means toeffect engagement and disengagement of said outer knob with saidactuator.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said outer knobincludes a tubular housing rotatably mounted on said support means; saidcam and cam follower are positioned in said tubular housing, and saidplate means is slidably mounted on said housing.
 4. Locking mechanismfor a lock set including an inner knob, an outer knob, a latch actuatorspindle supported between said knobs, said spindle being operativelyconnected to said inner knob for rotation therewith, and supportingmeans adapted for placement on opposing sides of a door panel adjacentsaid inner and said outer knobs for rotatably supporting same, theimprovement comprising: shiftable connecting means for effectingengagement and disengagement of said outer knob with said spindle;cooperable locking means on said supporting means and said connectingmeans, said locking means including a pair of axially directed armmembers on said connecting means, said supporting means including a pairof slots therein to receive said arm members to effect lockingengagement therebetween when said connecting means is shifted to effectdisengagement of said outer knob with said spindle whereby said outerknob is fixed while said inner knob and said spindle remain free torotate; means supporting said connecting means for axial movement withrespect to said outer knob and said spindle; means for axially shiftingsaid connecting means between engaging and nonengaging positions, saidshifting means including a cam on said connecting means and a camfollower; and a locking bar connected to said cam and extending throughsaid inner knob, rotation of said locking bar causing axial movement ofsaid connecting means to thereby shift said locking means between saidpositions.
 5. The lockset as defined in claim 4 and further includingstop means on said locking bar and stop abutment means on said spindlewhereby to prevent excessive rotation of said locking bar when shiftingsaid locking means between said positions.